Dual flush for toilets

ABSTRACT

A dual flush system for toilets whereby a regulated partial amount of water may be used to flush the bowl comprising, in addition to a main valve, flush control means therefor, an overflow pipe and flush tank filling means, a spring-loaded valve inserted into the overflow pipe and separate control means for actuating the spring-loaded valve.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,894,299

Cleary July 15, 1975 [5 DUAL FLUSH FOR TOILETS 3.487.476 1/1970 Stiem et al 4/57 R 3.605.!25 9/1971 Gibb etal 4/58 [76] invent f Char? 3.810.261 5/1974 Hollander 4/65 Bricktown, NJ. 08773 22 Fikd; May 29, 1974 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis [2]] A I N 474 341 Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Imirie, Smiley & Linn [57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 4/67 A; 4/34; 4/57 R A dual flush system for toilets whereby a regulated [51] Int. Cl. E03d 1/34; E03d 5/02; A6lb l9/O0 partial amount of water may be used to flush the bowl [58) Field of Search 4/67 R, 67 A. 57 R. 57 P. comprising, in addition to a main valve, flush control 4/34, 37. l, l8. i2, 58. 60, 65 means therefor, an overflow pipe and flush tank filling means, a spring-loaded valve inserted into the over- [56] References Cited flow pipe and separate control means for actuating the UNITED STATES PATENTS p ing-l al e.

2.35l,672 6/[944 Engel 4/67 R 5 Claims, 3 Drawin Figures IO Z2 24- Z3 25 26 28 27 Tim 2| P745111; omen/me: 2 51 IS A DUAL FLUSH FOR TOILETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention generally relates to an improved toilet flush tank construction, and more particularly to an improved valving arrangement for regulating the amount of water utilized in flushing the tank of a toilet.

2. Description of the Prior Art Toilet flush tanks provided with dual flush systems are known. See, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,574,866 Sievers; 2,803,833 Charest; 934,353 Prichett; 2,237,294 Easley; 2,351,672 Engel; 1,474,288 Rath; and 2,505,091 Brebis. While these devices generally function in the manner intended, most require major modifications in the tank structure of a conventional single flush tank to achieve the desired result.

There is a need therefore for a dual flush tank which is simple in construction, easy to operate and relatively simple to install in a conventional tank system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a dual flush toilet tank system which is free of the above disadvantages.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dual flush system which can be installed in a conventional single flush tank without difficulty by a non-skilled person.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a dual flush toilet tank system which can be operated with ease and effectively.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description.

The above objects are realized by the dual flush system of the present invention which comprises, in a conventional toilet tank, a spring-loaded valving mechanism inserted into the overflow pipe, the latter being provided with holes above the level of the valving mechanism to permit water to flow therein (and eventually into the bowl), and control means to permit the spring-loaded valve to open and thereby permit the tank to be partially emptied of water. The use of the spring-loaded valve permits the tank to be emptied of any quantity of water up to and including that amount of water in the tank above the level of the holes in the overflow pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front elevation view, with parts broken away and omitted, of the dual flush system of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view, partly in cross-section, showing in detail the system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly in cross-section, of the flush control means of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet flush tank is shown which comprises base 13, side wall 12 and backwall 11, the remaining portions of the enclosure not being shown. An overflow pipe 15 is provided therein connected with base 13 at 14, and communicating with the bowl of the toilet (not shown). A main valve 16, shown in position on valve seat 16', enables the tank to be emptied of water when handle 20 is depressed, as is conventional. After all the water drains out of the tank and into the bowl, the valve 16 is again seated on seat 16' and water begins to enter the tank through a fill pipe (not shown). A float-regulated valve (not shown) controls the amount of water that flows into the tank, as is conventional.

The modifications necessary to provide a dual flush system according to the present invention are as follows:

1. a spring-loaded valve mechanism is inserted into the overflow pipe and at least one hole is drilled in the same above the level of the valve seat of the springloaded valve; and

2. secondary flush control means is installed for the spring-loaded valve, which means is operable separately from the main valve control means for operating the main valve for total tank discharge. The secondary flush control means conveniently is a separate handle 29 secured to rotatable rod 22 to which in turn is secured a sleeve 24 and lever arm 26.

The spring-loaded valve and the flush control means are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The main flush handle 20 is secured to a hollow shaft 21 such as by means of set screw 40. To the opposite end of shaft 21 is secured (such as by means of set screw 39) sleeve 23 and lever arm 19 (the latter two are conveniently integral).

Separate handle 29 is secured to rod 22 such as by means of set screw 41. Rod 22 is adapted to rotate in bearing means 25 and supports a sleeve 24 and lever arm 26 (the sleeve 24 and lever arm 26 may be an integral unit), the sleeve 24 being secured to rod 22 such as by means of set screw 38.

To the opposite end of lever arm 19 is attached main valve 16 through chain 18 (or other suitable connection means) supported by guide 17.

The spring-loaded valve is inserted into the overflow pipe 15 and comprises a hollow tube 28 supporting at its lower end a valve 34. The lower portion of tube 28 may be threaded and valve 34 may be held securely thereto by threaded nut 37. In closed position, valve 34 is positioned in valve seat 33 which is disposed below holes 30 and 31 provided in overflow pipe 15. The valve seat 33 is secured to overflow pipe 15 in this position. A guide means 36, secured to overflow pipe 15, provides a guide for the vertical movement of tube 28 and defines a space between its lower end and valve 34, in which space is provided a spring 35 around tube 28, the spring simultaneously bearing against valve 34 and lower end of guide means 36 tending to keep valve 34 in valve seat 33.

Conveniently, valve seat 33 is integral with sleeve 42 as shown in FIG. 2 for ease of installation. Thus, valve seat 33 and sleeve 42 are inserted into the overflow pipe 15 and flange portion 43 of sleeve 42 is seated on the upper portion of overflow pipe 15. The hole 30, and if necessary hole 31, may then be drilled in overflow pipe 15 and sleeve 42 and the balance of the assembly inserted into overflow pipe 15. Alternatively, the hole(s) in sleeve 42 may be pre-drilled prior to insertion thereof in overflow pipe 15.

The upper end of tube 28 is secured to fork 27 which in turn is secured to lever arm 26 by any suitable means.

In operation, should one wish to totally empty the flush tank, one would depress handle 20 which would,

in turn, rotate hollow shaft 21 and lever arm 19, thereby freeing main valve 16 from valve seat 16', permitting the level of water in the tank to decrease from the full tank level (FIG. 1) to the total discharge level.

On the other hand, should one desire or find it necessary only to partially empty the flush tank, one would depress handle 29. As a result, rod 22 (which is capable of rotation independently of hollow shaft 21) rotates counterclockwise, thereby raising lever arm 26. Valve 34, connected to the lower end of tube 28, is thereby lifted off valve seat 33 permitting the water in the tank to flow through holes 30 and 31, down overflow pipe and then into the bowl. As long as handle 29 is kept depressed, valve 34 will remain open and the water level in the flush tank will fall from the full tank level to the partial discharge level (FIG. 1).

Thus, depending on how long handle 29 is kept depressed and the location of holes 30 and 31 on the overflow pipe 15, one can easily vary the amount of water released from the flush tank into the bowl. Once a sufficient amount of water flows into the bowl to flush away the contents thereof, and handle 29 is released, valve 34 will automatically close since it is springloaded.

Since tube 28 is hollow, the function of the overflow pipe is retained since the overflow water can flow through tube 28 down into the overflow pipe 15 beneath valve seat 33 and then into the bowl.

Two holes 30 and 31 are shown in the drawings, but only one hole is necessary for operation. The guide means 36, valve 34 and valve seat 33 may be composed of any suitable material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, nylon, etc. Any conventional spring can be employed and the force exerted by the spring can be regulated by the distance between the lower end of guide means 36 and the valve seat 33.

The advantages of the device of the invention are as follows:

i. The system of the invention can be installed in any conventional toilet without substantial structural modifications by one having minimum mechanical skill, such as the average homeowner.

2. Only the desired amount of water is released from the tank, a significant advantage especially in those areas served only by septic tanks (since overloading can be avoided) or in those areas where potable water costs are high (since this device wastes little water).

3. The device is simple to operate even for the young.

4. No leakage around the secondary valve 34 would occur since it is spring-biased against valve seat 33.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions and/or modifications may be made in the device as shown and described, despite the fact that the invention has been illustrated by reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is the intention therefore that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A dual flush system for a toilet whereby a regulated partial flush of the flush tank can be obtained comprising, in a conventional toilet, having an over flow pipe, spring-loaded secondary valve means disposed in the overflow pipe at a point intermediate the lower and upper ends thereof and separate flush control means for said spring-loaded secondary valve said spring-loaded secondary valve comprising a valve seat disposed in said overflow pipe, said valve seat being secured to said overflow pipe, a hollow tubular member supporting said valve at a position adjacent its lowermost end and extending through said valve communicating with the space in the overflow pipe below said valve seat when said valve is seated in said valve seat, and at least one hole in said overflow pipe provided in the wall of said overflow pipe above said valve seat whereby actuation of said separate flush control means releases water above the level of said hole into the bowl of said toilet.

2. The dual flush system of claim 1 wherein the uppermost end of said tubular member extends at least as high as the uppermost end of the overflow pipe, thereby permitting overflow water to flow down through said tubular member below said valve seat and eventually into the bowl.

3. The dual flush system of claim 2 wherein said separate flush control means is operable independently of the main flush control means used to operate the main valve of the toilet.

4. The dual flush system of claim 3 wherein said flush control means comprises two separate handles each secured to separate rotatable shafts and separate lever means secured to each of said rotatable shafts and to each of said main and secondary valves, whereby when said handles are depressed, said shafts rotate thereby lifting said lever means which opens said valves.

5. The dual flush system of claim 4 wherein said rotatable shaft of said separate flush control means is disposed concentrically within the rotatable shaft of the main flush control means and extends outwardly through the first handle which operates the main valve at which point the second handle is secured to the smaller shaft for operating the secondary valve means. l 

1. A dual flush system for a toilet whereby a regulated partial flush of the flush tank can be obtained comprising, in a conventional toilet, having an over flow pipe, spring-loaded secondary valve means disposed in the overflow pipe at a point intermediate the lower and upper ends thereof and separate flush control means for said spring-loaded secondary valve said springloaded secondary valve comprising a valve seat disposed in said overflow pipe, said valve seat being secured to said overflow pipe, a hollow tubular member supporting said valve at a position adjacent its lowermost end and extending through said valve communicating with the space in the overflow pipe below said valve seat when said valve is seated in said valve seat, and at least one hole in said overflow pipe provided in the wall of said overflow pipe above said valve seat whereby actuation of said separate flush control means releases water above the level of said hole into the bowl of said toilet.
 2. The dual flush system of claim 1 wherein the uppermost end of said tubular member extends at least as high as the uppermost end of the overflow pipe, thereby permitting overflow water to flow down through said tubular member below said valve seat and eventually into the bowl.
 3. The dual flush system of claim 2 wherein said separate flush control means is operable independently of the main flush control means used to operate the main valve of the toilet.
 4. The dual flush system of claim 3 wherein said flush control means comprises two separate handles each secured to separate rotatable shafts and separate lever means secured to each of said rotatable shafts and to each of said main and secondary valves, whereby when said handles are depressed, said shafts rotate thereby lifting said lever means which oPens said valves.
 5. The dual flush system of claim 4 wherein said rotatable shaft of said separate flush control means is disposed concentrically within the rotatable shaft of the main flush control means and extends outwardly through the first handle which operates the main valve at which point the second handle is secured to the smaller shaft for operating the secondary valve means. 